302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

William Crawford Missing Person Case

Last seen in Santa Cruz, California on May 15, 1978

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Victim Details

Created

Jan 24, 2009

Case Added

Feb 23, 2024

First Name

William

Last Name

Crawford

Current Age

Age At Disappearance

Height

72 inches

Weight

185 lbs

Ethnicity

Black / African American

Gender

Male

Last Seen

May 15, 1978

City

Santa Cruz

State

California

County

Santa Cruz County

Agency ID

7150

Agency Name

Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office

Agency City

Santa Cruz

Agency State

California

Agency County

Santa Cruz County

Agency Zip Code

95062

Agency Address

5200 Soquel Avenue, California

Agency Phone

8314711121

Agency Jurisdiction

County

Agency Type

Law Enforcement

Agency Website

www.scsheriff.com

Agency Case #

78-3229

Agency Report Date

May 15, 1978

Primary Agency

Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office

Case Contributors

6765

Hair Color

Black

Left Eye Color

Brown

Right Eye Color

Brown

Last Updated

Oct 9, 2026

Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!

Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP1405) and 4 other sources

William Melvin Crawford, a 50-year-old man, was last seen on May 15, 1978, in Santa Cruz, California. At the time of his disappearance, Crawford was staying at a convalescent home. He was last seen leaving the facility, wearing a blue or black bathrobe and slippers. Despite a search, he was never heard from again. Crawford had an unspecified medical condition, which may have contributed to his disappearance, and he has scars on his upper left arm and near his left eye.

Very little information has surfaced regarding his case since his disappearance, and it remains unsolved. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate the case, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact them. Despite the passage of time, Crawford's case remains active in missing persons databases.
Last Seen: May 15, 1978

Links to Additional Sources (4)

See any mistakes? Let us know!

William Melvin Crawford - The Charley Project

William Melvin Crawford | State of California - Department of Justice

Missing Person / NamUs #MP1405

Salinas, CA Area Missing Persons | SpotCrime

Possible Unidentified Matches (5)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

79%Possible

John Doe — San Francisco, California

UP5953 • Found Dec 7, 2000

View case

Sex ✓Male

Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 50 when missing

Race 100%Black

Location 87%59 mi away, same state

TimingFound 23 years after last seen

Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"

Weight 66%234 lb vs 185 lb

Hair 100%Black vs Black

Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

78%Possible

John Doe — San Francisco, California

UP5926 • Found Aug 3, 1989

View case

Sex ✓Male

Age 85%Est. 35–60 vs 50 when missing

Race 100%Black

Location 87%59 mi away, same state

TimingFound 11 years after last seen

Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"

Weight 98%165 lb vs 185 lb

Hair 100%Black vs Black

78%Possible

John Doe — San Francisco, California

UP5922 • Found Sep 29, 1987

View case

Sex ✓Male

Age 85%Est. 30–55 vs 50 when missing

Race 100%Black

Location 87%59 mi away, same state

TimingFound 9 years after last seen

Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"

Weight 100%175 lb vs 185 lb

Hair 100%Black vs Black

76%Possible

John Doe — San Francisco, California

UP5915 • Found Sep 18, 1987

View case

Sex ✓Male

Age 60%Est. 30–99 vs 50 when missing

Race 100%Black

Location 87%59 mi away, same state

TimingFound 9 years after last seen

Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"

Weight 100%202 lb vs 185 lb

Hair 100%Black vs Black

Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

75%Possible

John Doe — San Francisco, California

UP5936 • Found Mar 24, 1993

View case

Sex ✓Male

Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 50 when missing

Race 100%Black

Location 87%59 mi away, same state

TimingFound 15 years after last seen

Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"

Weight 88%155 lb vs 185 lb

Hair 100%Black vs Black

Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

William Crawford Missing Person Case

Last seen in Santa Cruz, California on May 15, 1978

Victim Details

Case Description

Links to Additional Sources (4)

Possible Unidentified Matches (5)

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Forum Posts (1)

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